Collaborative Initiatives: An information-sharing approach in retail drop shipping supply chain

Abstract

Retail dropshipping has become increasingly popular due to its ability to reduce inventory holding costs and enhance customer satisfaction. This model involves retailers displaying goods online and sending customer data to producers who ship directly to customers. However, this approach impedes scalability, such as poor communication among supply chain partners and a lack of inventory transparency. This research paper proposes a collaborative initiative that utilizes information sharing to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the retail dropshipping supply chain. Sharing downstream sales data with upstream partners can significantly enhance inventory visibility, reduce order fulfillment time, and improve communication and coordination among supply chain partners. Indepth literature review was conducted to identify relevant articles and studies on collaboration in the supply chain, information sharing, and dropshipping. The study revealed the potential benefits of collaborative initiatives and emphasized how information sharing can help overcome some of the limitations of the conventional dropshipping model. The research provides valuable insights into collaborative initiatives in the retail dropshipping supply chain and highlights the crucial role of information sharing in enhancing supply chain operations. By adopting joint initiatives, retailers can overcome the constraints of the traditional dropshipping model and increase profitability. Our study offers a framework for retailers and supply chain partners to collaborate effectively and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.

Keywords: Retail dropshipping, supply chain, information sharing, collaboration

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1003061